Destroyer

A Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer opens fire with its missiles and 155mm guns.

Destroyers are a type of naval warship designed primarily for escort work. The term destroyer stems from the original title of Torpedo Boat Destroyer, as their original purpose was to destroy torpedo boats before they could threaten battleships. Later, this role expanded to anti-submarine work.

Modern destroyers are multi-role warships that can attack opposing ships, submarines, aircraft, and inland targets with cannons, torpedoes, and missiles. In the modern US Navy, they also serve as escorts for carriers.